Self-Care in the Winter

By Ashley Chapman 

Depending on where you live, the winter months can be a time of cold weather and inside activities. With this comes the lack of motivation and determination to take care of yourself. Even with the cold weather, it is important to make healthy decisions. Here are some important self-care tips for the winter months.

Morning Routine 

Beginning your day is a good indicator of how you will feel throughout the day. When it comes to your morning routine, be sure to set yourself up for success.

Depending on what works best for you, starting with a small amount of exercise can help boost your metabolism, whether it is a full workout at the gym, or a brisk walk before jumping in the shower. If you have a stressful job, it could also be helpful to take a small amount of time to meditate before heading to work. Remember that if you start your day calm and relaxed, you will be able to make better decisions.

Eating Well 

Busy or stressful days can make it difficult to stay on track with your eating. One suggestion is to always have healthy snacks ready to go in your car or office. These snacks could include almonds, cheese, crackers and fruit. Another suggestion would be to meal prep your larger meals. Taking a Sunday afternoon to prep could make your weekly lunch and dinners a breeze.

Tracking your meals can also help you see what times or days of the week you struggle the most to eat well. Those are the days you would want to prep your meals the day prior, to avoid eating unhealthy.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Regardless of age, consuming large amounts of alcohol are detrimental to your health. Along with weight gain, alcohol can have a lasting impact on your vital organs, as well as your sleep pattern. If you find that you are drinking more than two or three days a week, try to minimize the amount of drinks you are consuming each day. This will help you feel better overall and improve your overall health.

Setting Goals

When it comes to taking care of yourself, it can be important to hold yourself accountable. One way that you can do this is by writing your goals down on paper. Think about what it is you want to accomplish (weight loss, more exercise, eating well, etc.) and write that down.  Posting it somewhere you will see your goals daily, such as your bathroom mirror, will help motivate you to reach those goals.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Knightdale, N.C.